The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Thinking about your reading list for this summer? If you’re looking for a good older book you may have missed, try THE ISLAND by Elin Hilderbrand. THE ISLAND came out in 2010, so it should be easy to find at the library and at bookstores.

THE ISLAND is a story of familial and romantic love, recovery from tragedy, sibling rivalry, and family support. The story reveals the individual paths four women have taken for love and the course each path set for their futures.

Summary

Shortly after Chess called off her wedding, her ex-fiancé tragically dies rock climbing. To help her through this dark time, her mother Birdie, her aunt India and her sister Tate take Chess to their family vacation home for a full month. They haven’t been back to the house on Tuckernuck Island near Nantucket in over a decade. They hope the family memories and serenity of the location will be healing.

The homes on Tuckernuck have no electricity, no heat or air conditioning, no hot water, no internet, and no cell service. A vacation home caretaker whom Birdie hired years ago has been checking on the house. When he retired, his son Barrett Lee took over the business. Birdie sent Barrett money to make the place livable for their visit since it had been neglected for so long. Upon their arrival, Barrett supplies their transportation by boat between Nantucket and Tuckernuck. He also brings them mail and groceries. Barrett, who is a widow with a child, focuses on keeping all of his clients happy, but one client, Nantucket socialite Anita Fullin, is jealous. She doesn’t want to share Barrett’s time and attention with the other family. Tate’s focus is also on Barrett, hoping this could be the summer he finally notices her.

The characters each have their own story and baggage. Birdie, the mom, is still recovering from her divorce. Free-spirited, artsy India is rediscovering herself after her husband’s death. Computer geek Tate thinks her sister has always had the advantage, but she still wants to support her. Chess, who is dealing with her grief and guilt, is also hiding a deeper secret.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this novel. The island/beach setting is right up my alley. I love a good book about love and family relationships. Birdie’s journey was a bit too predictable for me, but I did like that each character’s journey and personality was unique and had depth. Elin Hilderbrand has a way of breathing life into complex, distinctive characters.

My favorite character storylines were India and Tate. India is a widow, but her reflections on her marriage with a famous artist husband felt realistic, and her free-spirit was interesting. Tate has a successful career, but love hasn’t been in the picture. She has always felt she was in her sister’s shadow. With memories of Barrett from their summer trips years ago, she wonders if she might have a shot with him. Her same old fear rears its head – Is he more interested in Chess?

If you’re considering your summer reading list, THE ISLAND by Elin Hilderbrand is a great addition. If you like this book, check out my review on The Identicals, another Hilderbrand book here.

Note About My Book Reviews This Year

Although I love reading books close to when they’re published, I have so many older books on my TBR (To Be Read) pile! I want to catch up on some of them. This year I promised myself I’d work on those more than new releases. My blog will reflect that. Sure, you’ll still see some newer books or ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) because I automatically say yes to certain authors’ books, but you’ll see some older outstanding books here as well. Hope you enjoy the mix of older and newer in my reviews this year!

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April 2, 2020

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Sun, sand, blue skies and turquoise water. Sounds like a dream right about now as we shelter-in-place due to the Coronavirus, doesn’t it? That’s what’s so wonderful about books. They can take you places you can’t go in person . . . at least not right now.

Just about a year ago I wrote about Elin Hilderbrand‘s book Winter in Paradise that takes place in St. John (USVI). I just finished the sequel, What Happens in Paradise, and it didn’t disappoint. Between these two books I have gotten attached to the characters and fallen in love with the location. It will be difficult to leave it all behind when she finishes the series.

This installment focuses on the relationships that are developing between the Steele family (Irene, Cash, Baker and Finn) and the people living on the island (Huck, Maia, Ayers, and Mick). They may live in a tropical paradise with beaches, boat excursions, and beach bars, but they aren’t immune to the ups and downs in life we all experience. And then the FBI gets involved. They, along with everyone else, want to know what Russ actually did in his job before he died in the helicopter accident. And was it an accident? Hilderbrand masterfully weaves in just enough information on the investigation and leaves us with a major dilemma to keep the reader wanting more in the third book to come.

While you’re at home quarantined, why not lose yourself in a good book that will take you to paradise with Winter in Paradise and What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand. The final book of the series Troubles in Paradise will be out in October of 2020.

I can’t give you more of the story because I don’t want to ruin the first book for you if you haven’t started this series yet. All I can say is that it is a light, enjoyable read. Or check your bookshelves for something you haven’t gotten around to reading. Buy an e-book. Order books on-line. Do a curbside pick-up at your local library or bookstore. Let your favorite author take you to another place and time for awhile.

April 3, 2019

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is one of my go-to authors. Most of Hilderbrand’s stories take place in the Nantucket area where she lives. However, when I attended an author series presented by the Cuyahoga Public Libraries last fall, I was excited to hear her speak about her new series that would take place in St. John (USVI). If spring weather isn’t coming fast enough for you, try escaping to St John for awhile in her first book in the series, Winter in Paradise.

Irene discovers that her husband Russell has died in a helicopter accident while away on “business” in St. John. When she and her adult sons arrive in St. John, they uncover that he was living a secret second life there. Russell owned a $15 million villa and had a long-time lover (Rosie) who was also killed in the crash. We learn about Russell through the people he impacted on the island including Huck (Rosie’s step-father), Ayers (Rosie’s best friend) and Maia (Rosie’s daughter). The way Irene’s family becomes entangled with Rosie’s family makes for interesting relationships.

Although Irene has been living a life of wealth, readers may think it is unrealistic that Russell could have hidden a $15 million villa and another family. However, suspicions arise concerning both the helicopter crash and what Russell was actually doing for a living. The villa had been cleaned out of any personal items before Irene arrived and the company Russell worked for has disconnected their phone and taken down their website.

Readers will want to read the next book to find out what Russell was involved in and whether or not the crash was an accident, but they will also be excited to spend more time with fun and unique characters in the Virgin Islands. I give it a thumbs up!

July 15, 2018March 7, 2024

The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2018

Reading goes hand-in-hand with writing. Writers need to be reading. So in between writing, researching how to get published, building my social network/platform, and living life, I still find time to read.

I just finished The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand which I would highly recommend. The story revolves around twin sisters who are nothing alike. One raised by her mother, the other by her father; one lives on Nantucket, the other on Martha’s Vineyard; one is very proper, the other leaps into trouble because she doesn’t think first. They have been at odds with each other for years until a family tragedy forces them to cross paths. Only they can decide if blood is thicker than the water that divides them.

What I liked: The characters became like family to me. They were realistic and interesting. When I finished the last page, I didn’t want to leave their world. I didn’t notice any slow spots in the story. I just wanted to keep reading! Elin used a smart parallel structure in her writing to masterfully show the differences in the women while also showcasing the differences between their two islands. You will enjoy her nod to The Parent Trap when the women switch lives as they try to work out their personal issues.

Fun Side Note: Elin has a twin brother. Obviously they aren’t identical, but she knows a thing or two about twinning!

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